Closed incision negative pressure wound therapy device and methods of use

ABSTRACT

A surgical tissue therapy device includes a sealant layer and a collection chamber. The sealant layer functions so as to create a sealed enclosure or space between it and the surface of a patient by forming, preferably, an airtight seal around a surgical area of skin trauma. The closed incision tissue therapy device also comprises a collection chamber, which may comprise an elongate tubular chamber with a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings. The collection chamber may be configured to be in fluid communication with the sealant layer and the area of skin trauma and functions as to distribute the negative pressure applied to a surgically closed area of skin trauma. Preferably, the pressure under the sealant layer is reduced by expanding the volume of the enclosure space and thereby decreasing the density of air molecules under the sealant layer. The collection material may comprise a material and/or a configuration that permits length changes based upon the length of the corresponding surgical wound or incision.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/979,315 filed on Oct. 11, 2007, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

There are millions of closed incisions (surgical or non surgical) eachyear, that occur in settings ranging from office-based procedures andambulatory surgical centers to traditional in-patient hospital settings.Post-procedural care of these incisions may vary, but can involve simpleuse of gauze, wraps and tapes. In addition, irrigation of the woundprior to closure and meticulous sterile technique has also beenadvocated. Wound infections following invasive procedures and surgeriespresents a potential risk to patients that can be as high as 10% withabdominal surgeries, for example. Wound infections are a significantmorbidity for patients, clinicians, and hospitals and can be costly totaxpayers and other payors. Patients with wound infections may need IVantibiotics, prolonged hospitalization, wound opening and dressingchanges, and some go on to develop wound dehiscence and enterocutaneousfistulas. While pre-operative prophylactic antibiotics have been shownto decrease post-operative wound infection, post-operative antibioticshave not.

SUMMARY

Provided herein is a device for treating a surgically closed incision.In one embodiment of the device provided herein, the device comprises asealant layer and a collection chamber. In some embodiments, the sealantlayer may be adapted and configured to create a seal around a surgicallyclosed area of skin trauma, thereby forming a sealed enclosure or space.In addition, the collection chamber may be adapted and configured todistribute pressure changes throughout at least a portion of the sealedenclosure or space created by the sealant layer.

Further provided herein is a device for the treatment of a closedincision wherein the device further comprises a suction source. Thesuction source may be in fluid communication with the sealed enclosure.In some embodiments of the device, the suction source may be adapted andconfigured to reduce the level of pressure located inside of the sealedenclosure. In some embodiments, the device may comprise a contact layer.The contact layer may be adapted and configured to be in communicationwith the collection chamber of the device. In some embodiments, thecontact layer has a conduit or opening that permits fluid communicationwith the collection chamber.

In a further embodiment of the device, the device may comprise aprotective layer. The protective layer may be used to affix the contactlayer to the surgically closed area of skin trauma. In an embodimentwhere a protective layer is used, the protective layer may be furtheradapted and configured to protect the skin adjacent to the surgicallyclosed area of skin trauma.

Also provided herein is a closed incision therapy device, comprising acollection chamber. In some embodiments, the collection chamber may bein a pre-evacuated state before the collection chamber is used with thedevice. In some embodiments, the collection chamber is deformable orbendable by the user or healthcare provider. In a further embodiment,the collection chamber comprises a flexible tube. The flexible tube maybe configured to deform or bend in response to changes in the surfacetopology of the surgically closed area of skin trauma.

In a further embodiment of the device described herein, the collectionchamber comprises a flexible tube with discrete collection members forcollecting exudate or other suitable material. In some embodiments, theflexible tube comprises a single discrete collection member, but inother embodiments, the flexible tube comprises two or more discretecollection members. At least one of the discrete collection chambers maybe in communication with the flexible tubing. For example, the discretecollection members may be in fluid communication with the flexibletubing. In an embodiment where at least two discrete collection membersare used, the discrete collection members may be in communication withother discrete collection members and may be separated by a segment offlexible tubing. In some embodiments, two or more of the discretecollection members may be in fluid communication with each other. Insome embodiments, the flexible tubing and the discrete collectionmembers are adapted and configured to be integrated with the sealantlayer, while in other embodiments, the discrete collection members butnot the flexible tubing are adapted and configured to be integrated withthe sealant layer. In a further embodiment of the collection chamberprovided herein, the collection chamber may comprise a series ofopenings. In such an embodiment, the series of openings are adapted andconfigured to provide fluid communication between the collection chamberand the surgically closed area of skin trauma.

In some embodiments, the collection chamber comprises a supportintegrated into the walls of the collection chamber. The supportstructure may be adapted and configured to allow the user to shape thecollection chamber into a particular configuration. The supportstructure may further maintain or resist changes to the shape of theparticular configuration, or at least until a new configuration isdesired by the user.

In some embodiments, the collection chamber preferably comprises aone-way flow valve. In some embodiments, the one way flow valve isadapted and configured to facilitate the emptying of the collectionchamber. The one-way flow valve may be further adapted and configured tofacilitate the re-creation of a reduced level of pressure inside thecollection chamber and/or to restore the collection chamber to itsoriginal pre-evacuated state.

In some embodiments, the collection chamber may be a dual chambercollection chamber. For example, the dual chamber collection chamber maycomprise a first chamber and a second chamber, where the first andsecond chamber are in communication with each other. In someembodiments, the second chamber may further comprise an actuating and/orregulating mechanism. The actuating and/or regulating mechanism may be anon-powered or passive actuating mechanism. In such an embodiment, thesecond chamber is adapted and configured to expand a volume of airlocated in a joint volume of space shared between the sealed enclosureand the dual chamber collection chamber. In some embodiments, the dualchamber collection chamber comprises a reciprocating mechanism.

As mentioned above, the device may further comprise a contact layer. Thecontact layer may serve as a vehicle for the delivery of one or moreagents that augment the healing process. In some embodiments, the agentsmay include a pharmacological or biological agent. In some embodiments,the contact layer is a porous dressing interface.

In some embodiments, a wound treatment device may be adapted andconfigured to conform to the length of the surgically closed area ofskin trauma. In other embodiments, the wound treatment device may be cutto size. In some examples, the collection chamber of the wound treatmentdevice is adapted and configured to conform to the length of thesurgically closed area of skin trauma. In other examples, the contactlayer and/or the sealant layer may be configured to conform to thelength of the surgically closed area of skin trauma. In someembodiments, the sealant layer may be configured to be semi-rigid. Insuch an embodiment, the sealant layer may be configured to providetensile support to the surgically closed area of skin trauma. In such anembodiment, the sealant layer may be adapted to alleviate mechanicaltension.

In some embodiments, the device may further comprise absorbent beads orother absorbent structures. In some embodiments the device may furthercomprise antimicrobial agents. In some embodiments, the device isconfigured to be emptied and further configured to be re-evacuated. Insome embodiments, the device is configured to deliver reduced pressurebetween about 0.001 to about 1 atmosphere. In some embodiments the levelof atmospheric pressure underneath the sealant layer may be reduced toabout 0.001 atm or higher, but in other embodiments to about 0.005 atm,about 0.01 atm, about 0.05 atm, about 0.1 atm, about 0.2 atm, about 0.5atm, about 0.7 atm, or about 0.9 atm. In some embodiments, theatmospheric pressure underneath the sealant layer is reduced to lessthan about 0.8 atm, about 0.7 atm, about 0.6 atm, about 0.4 atm, about0.3 atm, about 0.2 atm, about 0.1 atm, about 0.07 atm, about 0.03 atm,about 0.007 atm, or even to less than about 0.003 atm.

In some embodiments of the device provided herein, the contact layer,the sealant layer, and/or the collection chamber are further configuredto be translucent or transparent so as to facilitate application to theincision site.

In another embodiment, a wound treatment device is provided, wherein thewound treatment device comprises a flexible sealant structure with anupper surface, a lower surface and an adhesive, a collection structureintegrally formed with the flexible sealant structure and comprising awall and an internal space surrounded by the wall, and a plurality ofpassageways between the internal space of the collection structure andthe lower surface of the flexible sealant structure and passing throughthe wall of the collection structure and through the upper surface ofthe flexible sealant structure. In some examples, there are at leastthree passageways. Also, in some examples the device further comprises asuction source and/or a suction port in fluid communication with theinternal space of the collection structure. The suction source maycomprise a constant force spring and/or a sliding seal. In someinstances, the suction source has a fixed external profile independentof its internal pressure level. In some specific examples, the suctionsource may be integrally formed with the collection structure. Inregards to the collection structures, the collection structure may be acollection tube comprising a first end and a second end, and theplurality of passageways may be longitudinally spaced between the firstand the second end of the collection tube. In some instances, thecollection structure may be a flexible collection structure.

In another embodiment, a method for treating a closed incision isprovided, where the method or procedure comprises forming a sealed spacealong a closed incision using a sealant layer, wherein the closedincision was formed by wound edges previously attached to each other andreducing pressure in the sealed space. The method may also furthercomprise mechanically pushing the wound edges against each other usingthe sealant layer, contracting the sealant layer onto a supportstructure, and/or reducing tissue tension variations along the sealedspace. The closed incision may be any of a variety of closed incisions,including but not limited to those closed with sutures or staples. Thesutured incisions may be interrupted sutures, running or continuoussutures, and the like.

Further provided herein is a method of applying reduced pressure therapyto a surgically closed area of skin trauma, comprising (a) sizing acollection chamber, a protective layer and a sealant layer to a size ofthe surgically closed area of skin trauma, (b) forming a seal aroundsaid the surgically closed area of skin trauma, (c) activating saidcollection chamber to deliver reduced pressure to the surgically closedarea of skin trauma, and (d) removing the device after at least somere-epithelialization of the surgically closed area of skin trauma. Themethod further provides a collection chamber wherein the reducedpressure is distributed through the surgically closed area of skintrauma.

A method for treating a surgically closed area of skin trauma using areduced pressure therapy device comprising the steps of (a) cutting aflexible protective layer to the shape of an area of skin trauma, (b)attaching the cut protective layer to an area of intact skin surroundingthe area of skin trauma, (c) cutting a flexible adhesive dressing withan integrated layer of foam to a desired size, said flexible adhesivedressing integrated with said layer of foam in fluid communication witha flexible tubing, (d) placing the dressing over said surgically closedarea of skin trauma to form a sealed enclosure, (e) configuring thetubing with an end piece, (f) charging the device, (g) recharging thedevice as necessary to remove exudates and to restore reduced pressureinside said enclosure, and (h) removing the device after at least somewound re-epithelialization. The method for treating a surgically closedarea of skin trauma includes trauma selected from a cut, puncture wound,surgical incision, and any combination thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the invention are set forth with particularity in theappended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantagesof the present invention will be obtained by reference to the followingdetailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in whichthe principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanyingdrawings of which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B depict one embodiment of a negative pressure therapydevice as viewed from the top and from the side perspective.

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a negative pressure therapy device asviewed from above in which the device is designed to be emptied andre-evacuated.

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of the negative pressure therapy device asviewed from above in which the collection chamber is a segmentedcollection chamber.

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of the negative pressure therapy device inwhich an occlusive layer is placed over the collection chamber.

FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of the negative pressure therapy device inwhich the collection chamber comprises corrugated tubing segmentsinterspersed with discrete collection members.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a negativepressure therapy device; FIGS. 6B and 6C are axial cross-sectional viewsof the device in FIG. 6A, before and after the application of reducedpressure, respectively.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of two wound coverings joinedtogether.

FIG. 8 depicts another embodiment of the negative pressure therapydevice, comprising a split support.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a negativepressure therapy device comprising an elastic collection channel; FIGS.9B to 9D are schematic cross-sectional views of the device in FIG. 9Abefore, during and after stretching, respectively; FIG. 9E is aschematic perspective view of two negative pressure therapy devicesjoined together.

FIGS. 10A to 10C are schematic cross-sectional views of another negativepressure therapy device with reinforced apertures, before, during andafter stretching, respectively.

FIGS. 11A to 11C are schematic cross-sectional views of another negativepressure therapy device comprising an open longitudinal channel, before,during and after stretching, respectively.

FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of an elongate negative pressuretherapy system arranged around a perimeter of a wound.

FIG. 13 is schematic illustration of an elongate negative pressuretherapy system arranged in a spiral orientation about a wound.

FIG. 14 is schematic illustration of an elongate negative pressuretherapy system arranged in a zig-zag orientation about a wound.

FIG. 15 is schematic illustration of an elongate negative pressuretherapy system arranged in a T-orientation about a wound.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Infections of surgical incisions and other wounds may result frombacterial growth that occurs in small pockets of fluid collections thatmay form within the subcutaneous tissues. These small fluid collectionslack blood flow and thus may provide inadequate immune function orantibiotic penetration to prevent or treat infection. Once contaminatedwith bacteria, there can be unfettered growth in these areas. Thus, byreducing the formation of these fluid collections, the risk of a woundinfection may be reduced. Although some closure techniques utilizedermal or deep sutures to reduce the formation of these fluid pockets,these sutures may also act as foreign bodies that may increase the riskof wound infection. Furthermore, improper suturing technique may stillleave significant dead space under the skin that allows for fluid tocollect and eventually become contaminated by bacteria. In addition towound infection, wound healing may inhibited by excessive tension on thewound. Excessive tension may result from sutures or other wound closuredevices that exert focal forces on portions of the incision or wound,and may also lead to increased scarring.

Studies have also demonstrated that a moist wound healing environmentmay promote more rapid re-epithelialization of wounds by facilitatingcell migration toward the wound center, in contrast to current gauzedressings that create a dry wound environment. Moreover, surgical andother wounds undergo of immune cell infiltration, inflammation andsubsequent edema. The immune response may be an integral process ofwound healing, but the ensuing edema may also be an impediment tohealing. Finally, proper healing requires oxygen and nutrients whichrequire adequate perfusion to the incision site which may be impeded bysome of the immunological processes.

In one example, a negative or reduced pressure wound therapy system maybe used to treat of areas of skin trauma that have been surgicallyclosed, or other types of elongate lacerations or wounds. The negativepressure wound therapy system may comprise a sealant layer and acollection chamber. The sealant layer may be designed such that it canform a seal around a surgically closed area of skin trauma, such as thesurgical incision, and form a sealed enclosure or space. In someexamples, the sealant layer may comprise a single piece or body, whilein other examples, the sealant layer may comprise multiple pieces thatmay be applied together to form an enclosed space or area. The sealantlayer may also comprise a single layer of material, or multiple layersof materials. The seal may be sufficiently air tight so that thepressure in the sealed enclosure or space may be reduced and maintainedat a reduced level. The negative pressure therapy system may alsocomprise a collection chamber that is configured to distribute thereduced pressure applied to the surgically closed incision site alongthe length of the incision or wound. The negative pressure therapysystem may also be used to treat a surgical incision left open to healby secondary intention, or by delayed primary closure (i.e. thirdintention). The system may comprise a collection chamber in continuityto a surgical incision that is sealed in a closed system as created by asealant layer. The collection chamber, when activated, may generate anegative pressure at the surgical incision site to promote healing,remove exudate, and/or reduce infection rates, for example. In someparticular examples, the system provided herein may have an elongateconfiguration and may be sized or configured to conform to the length ofthe surgical incision. The collection chamber may be integrally formedor pre-attached to a sealant layer, or the collection chamber and thesealant layer may be configured to permit the collection chamber to bepositioned under the sealant layer.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises a suction apparatus.When the suction apparatus is used with the system, the suctionapparatus may be configured to be in communication with the sealedenclosure or space. The suction apparatus, together with the sealantlayer and collection chamber, may form a closed system for treating asurgical incision or other type of wound. The suction apparatus, whenengaged, may be used to reduce the level of pressure located inside thesealed enclosure by forcefully expanding the volume of air locatedwithin the sealed enclosure. The suction source may be a closed or opensystem. For example, the suction apparatus may be a syringe, a poweredpump, a Venturi system, a forced expansion device, constant force springdevice, or a static negative pressure device, or any suitable active orpassive suction source. In some embodiments, the suction source may beintegrally formed with the collection chamber. In some embodiments, thesuction source is connected to the collection chamber through the use ofan extension tube.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises a contact layer. Thecontact layer may be configured to permit fluid communication with thecollection chamber. The contact layer may be placed in contact with thesurface of the surgically closed area of skin trauma. In someembodiments, the contact layer may only be in contact with thesurgically closed area of skin trauma and may not be in contact with thearea surrounding the site of trauma. In other embodiments, the contactlayer may be in contact with both the area of skin trauma and the areasurrounding the area of skin trauma. The contact layer may facilitatethe continuity of fluid communication between the collection chamber andthe surgical area of skin trauma. In some examples, the contact layermay comprise a porous material or other structure comprising air spaces,including, but not limited to, foam, a stacked mesh matrix, gauze,cotton, a sponge, or any known suitable material in the art. In someembodiments where the contact layer is used, the contact layer may serveas a delivery vehicle for delivery agents. The delivery agents mayinclude, but are not limited to, growth factors, antibiotics,antimicrobial agents, or any suitable delivery agent. In someembodiments, the agents used to improve healing are integrated with thecontact layer. In some embodiments, the agents used are integrated orlocated with the collection chamber.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises a protective layer. Aprotective layer may be used to surround the surgical area of skintrauma. For example, the protective layer may be attached or adhered tothe area of skin surround the area of skin trauma. A pressure sensitiveadhesive on the underside of the protective layer may provide theattachment or adherence properties to the skin. A protective layer mayalso be used to form a seal in combination with a sealant layer. Theseal is airtight, or may be semi-permeable or impermeable to watervapor. In some embodiments, the protective layer may be sized to thesurgical area of skin trauma such that it fits around the area of skintrauma. In some examples, the protective layer may be cut to size, butin other embodiments, the protective layer may comprise perforations orother pre-defined separation structures to facilitate the sizing. Incertain embodiments, the protective layer may have a thin centralpeel-away strip or layer that may be removed after the protective layerhas been placed around the area of skin trauma. In such embodiments, awider contact layer may be placed over the protective layer. Theprotective layer may be used to affix the contact layer to the surgicalarea of skin trauma, and may protect the underlying skin or tissue fromtrauma associated with removal of the contact layer to access thesurgical site. The protective layer can be any known material suitablefor protecting the skin surrounding the skin trauma from maceration. Theprotective layer may comprise any of a variety of foam and/orhydrocolloid materials, including Duoderm® wound care products.

The collection chamber of the static negative pressure therapy systemmay be configured to distribute the pressure levels applied to theincision site over the length of the surgically closed area of trauma.In some embodiments, the collection chamber may be in a pre-evacuatedstate prior to being placed on the surgically closed incision area ofskin trauma. In such an embodiment, the collection chamber, once incommunication with the area of skin trauma, can then be activated toapply reduced pressure to the area of skin trauma. In some examples, thecollection chamber comprises a tubular structure. The tubular structuremay comprise a rigid tube, for example, a moldable or flexible tube. Thetube may comprise a deformable or elastic support that permit the tubeto be bent or shaped into a particular configuration while also allowingthe tube to holding or biasing the tube in that configuration. Forexample, the support structure may comprise a wire mesh cage or framesurrounding the tube, coupled to the inner lumen of the tube, orotherwise supporting the tube. In some embodiments, the tube has a wiresupport structure integrally within the walls of the tube. The supportstructure may also comprise a moldable plastic material, or the tubingitself may comprise a moldable plastic including. Moldable materialsinclude, but are not limited to, thermoplastics, elastomeric materials,or any suitable moldable material. In some embodiments, the collectionchamber may be configured for single use only, while in otherembodiments, the collection chamber may be emptied and re-evacuatedduring use.

In some embodiments, the collection chamber is a flexible tube whichcomprises one or more corrugated sections. In such an embodiment, thecorrugated tubing section may be flexible and can conform to the surfacetopology of the surgically closed area of skin trauma. The corrugatedtubing sections may allow the flexible tubing to conform to thetwo-dimensional or three-dimension configuration of the wound orincision and allows the tubing to passively adjust in response tochanges in the wound configuration as the patient moves or as the woundheals. In some embodiments, the flexible tube may comprise entirely ofcorrugated tubing, while in other embodiments, the flexible tubing iscorrugated tubing sections with discrete collection members ornon-corrugated sections located therebetween. In one embodiment, thenon-corrugated sections may be rigid, or may be semi-rigid or flexiblebut with less flexibility than the corrugated sections. Some embodimentsmay comprise at least one non-corrugated section located within thetubing, while other embodiments may comprise two or more non-corrugatedsections located along the tubing. The tubular segments may be connectedby corrugated tubes that provide fluid communication along a length ofthe tubing and/or provide flexibility to the tubing such that the entirecollection chamber structure, the rigid non-corrugated sections and theflexible corrugated tubing sections overall permit conformation to theskin or surgical site as it moves. Sometimes, flexible tubing maymitigate the discomfort to the patient or reduce the localized pressurepoints from the treatment system. In some embodiments comprising bothrigid collection sections and flexible sections along the collectionchamber, both the flexible tubing segments and the rigid collectionsections may be embedded into the sealant layer, coupled to the sealantlayer, or integrally formed with the sealant layer. In some embodiments,only the discrete collection members are coupled or embedded into thesealant layer, while the flexible tubing segments are not.

Some embodiments of the system comprise a collection chamber and asealant layer, where the sealant layer and the collection chamber are influid communication with an area of skin trauma. Fluid communication maybe provided by a series of openings in the sealant layer and thecollection chamber which provide fluid communication between the area ofskin trauma and the collection chamber. The openings may be locatedlongitudinally oriented along a length of the collection chamber, withcorresponding openings of the sealant layer aligned with the openings inthe collection chamber. Fluid, or any other suitable matter, may then bedrawn up from the surgically closed area of skin trauma into thecollection chamber. When an optional contact layer is employed, thefluid may passes first through the contact layer, and then through theholes connecting the sealant layer and collection chamber. In addition,the series of openings located throughout the collection chamber mayallow for the distribution of pressure to the area of skin trauma andreduce or prevent areas of localized pressure or fluid build-up that maybe greater in some areas and less in other areas.

In some embodiments, the collection chamber further comprises a one-wayflow valve. The one-way flow valve may be used to assist in the emptyingof the collection chamber. The one-way flow valve may also be used tore-create the reduced pressure, or pre-evacuated, level of pressureinside the collection chamber. In some embodiments, the one-way flowvalve may be used to facilitate both empting of the collection chamberand re-evacuation of the collection chamber. The one-way flow valve mayserves to facilitate the re-evacuation of the collection chamber byfacilitating the attachment of a suction source to the collectionchamber through the valve and allowing the suction source to remove airmolecules from the collection chamber. The suction source may also beused to remove exudate or air from the collection chamber through theuse of the one-way flow valve. In some embodiments, a first one-way flowvalve is used to empty the collection chamber and a second one-way flowvalve is used to re-evacuate the collection chamber. In someembodiments, the one-way flow valve may be integrated with thecollection chamber. In some embodiments, the one-way flow valve isattached to a removable plug used to occlude one end of the collectionchamber. In some embodiments, a plurality of one-way valves may beprovided, with one or more valves located in or associated with theseries of openings to reduce backflow of air or material out of thecollection chamber or the sealant layer and back into the area of skintrauma. The one-way valves may have any of a variety of configurations,including duckbill or flap valves.

A segmented collection device or other multi-cavity device may be usedin place of a single chamber collection chamber in some embodiments. Asegmented collection chamber may comprise a first chamber and a secondchamber which may or may not be in fluid communication with each other.In one example, the first chamber is in direct communication with thesealant layer whereas the second chamber is in communication with thefirst chamber. In embodiments where a dual chamber collection chamber isused, one or more of the segments or chambers may be a source ofsuction. The suction source may comprise a non-powered or passiveactuating and regulating mechanism, including but not limited to aspring mechanism such as a constant force spring. The passive actuatingand regulating mechanism may be used to apply and maintain a level ofpressure inside the sealed enclosure or space between the collectionchamber and the sealant layer. In some embodiments, the dual chambercollection chamber comprises a reciprocating mechanism including, butnot limited to, a plunger. The plunger may be manually distracted, ormay be passively distracted, such as when attached to a constant forcespring. In some embodiments, the second chamber expands the volume ofair located in a joint volume of space shared between the sealedenclosure and the dual chamber collection chamber. One or segments orchambers may also comprise a powered or active actuating and regulatingmechanism.

In some embodiments, the system may also be sized or configured toconform to the length of the surgically closed incision. In someembodiments, the collection chamber conforms to the length of the closedincision area of skin trauma by being stretched to the length of thewound. In such an embodiment, the collection can be made from ahydrocolloid material. Such a material allows the collection chamber tobe stretched to a new desired length and remain at that length after thestress causing the change in length has been removed. In such anembodiment, the system may be made from a hydrocolloid or any suitablematerial. In some embodiments, the system may be shortened to the lengthof the closed incision. In some embodiments, the system can be cut tothe length of the closed area of skin trauma. In such an embodiment, thecut end of the collection chamber may be self sealing upon theapplication of pressure to the collection chamber. In some embodiments,the collection chamber can be sealed after it has been cut. In someembodiments, the collection chamber can be sealed with an end cap, aplug, an occlusive sealant sheet, an end cap with a one way flow valve,a constant force spring, a reduced pressure system, or any suitablemeans for sealing the end of the collection chamber. In one embodiment,the structure used to seal the end of the collection chamber that hasbeen adjusted to conform to the length of the skin trauma is configuredto resist removal once affixed to the collection chamber. Alternatively,the structure used to seal the end of the collection chamber that hasbeen adjusted to conform to the length of the skin trauma may be aremovable structure. In some embodiments, the system includes a seriesof collection chambers lined up in parallel or serially with each other.In such an embodiment, one or more collection chambers may be removedfrom the series of collection chambers to accommodate the width of theclosed incision area of skin trauma. In other embodiments, one or morecollection chambers may be replaced upon filling or clogging.

In some embodiments, the contact layer may be adjusted to conform to thelength of the surgically closed area of skin trauma. For example, thecontact layer may be lengthened or shortened based upon the length ofthe closed incision or wound. In some embodiments, the contact layer maybe cut to the length of the closed incision. In some embodiments, thecollection chamber, the contact layer, and/or the sealant layer may beadjusted to conform to the length of the surgically closed incision. Insome embodiments, only the collection chamber is adjusted to conform tothe length of the incision before the system is placed on the patient,while in other embodiments, only the contact layer or the sealant layeris adjusted to conform to the length of the surgical incision before thesystem is placed on the patient. In some embodiments, the collectionchamber, the contact layer, and the sealant layer may each beindividually adjusted to conform to the length of the incision or woundbefore being placed on the patient. In some embodiments, the collectionchamber, the contact layer, and the sealant layer are integratedtogether, such that the system is adjusted to conform to the length ofthe surgically closed incision or wound as a unit.

The system provided herein includes a sealant layer for creating a sealwith the surface of the patient. In some embodiments, the seal is airtight. In some embodiments, the sealant layer comprises a flexibleimpermeable material. In some embodiments the sealant layer is asemi-rigid material. In an embodiment where the sealant layer is asemi-rigid material, the sealant layer may provide tensile support tothe surgically closed area of skin trauma. A semi-rigid sealant layerwould further alleviate mechanical tension on the surgically closed areaof skin trauma as the trauma heals.

In some embodiments, the system provided for herein further includesabsorbent beads. The absorbent beads are located in the incision orwound, and/or the collection chamber. In some embodiments, the systemmay comprise antimicrobial agents. Antimicrobial agents include, but arenot limited to, silver, iodine, chlorhexidine or any other suitableantimicrobial agent.

Some of the examples provided herein are configured to create a level ofpressure within the sealed enclosure encompassing the surgically closedarea of skin trauma. In some embodiments, the level of pressure createdis between about 0.001 and about 1 atm. When in fluid communication withthe enclosed space under the sealant layer, the level of atmosphericpressure underneath the sealant layer may be reduced to no lower thanabout 0.001 atm, about 0.005 atm, about 0.01 atm, about 0.05 atm, about0.1 atm, about 0.2 atm, about 0.5 atm, about 0.7 atm, or about 0.9 atm.In other embodiments, the atmospheric pressure underneath the sealantlayer may be reduced to about 0.8 atm or less, but in other embodiments,may be reduced to less than about 0.7 atm, 0.6 atm, about 0.4 atm, about0.3 atm, about 0.2 atm, about 0.1 atm, about 0.07 atm, about 0.03 atm,about 0.007 atm, or to about 0.003 atm or less.

In some embodiments, the contact layer, the sealant layer and/or thecollection chamber may be made from transparent materials. Thetransparency of the materials may facilitate more accurate placement ofthe system over the surgical incision or wound by the clinician to moreaccurately place the system, and/or may permit visualization of theincision or wound with breaking the seal.

Also provided for herein is a method for applying a reduced pressuretherapy system to a surgically closed area of skin trauma. The methodcomprises (a) sizing a collection chamber, a protective layer and asealant layer to a surgically closed area of skin trauma; (b) forming aseal around the surgically closed area of skin trauma; (c) activatingthe collection chamber to deliver reduced pressure evenly distributed tothe surgically closed area of skin trauma; and (d) removing the systemafter re-epithelialization of the surgically closed area of skin trauma.Wound re-epithelialization occurs between 2 days and 5 days after theskin trauma has been surgically closed. In some embodiments woundre-epithelialization occurs 3 days after closure. In some embodimentswound re-epithelialization occurs 4 days after closure. In someembodiments wound re-epithelialization occurs 5 days after closure. Insome embodiments, wound re-epithelialization occurs earlier than 5 daysafter wound closure. In some embodiments, wound re-epithelializationoccurs earlier than 4 days after wound closure. In some embodiments,wound re-epithelialization occurs earlier than 3 days following woundclosure.

Further provided is a method for treating an area of skin trauma using areduced pressure therapy system, comprising: (a) cutting a protectivelayer to the shape of an area of skin trauma; (b) attaching the cutprotective layer to an area of intact skin surrounding the area of skintrauma; (c) cutting a flexible adhesive dressing with an integratedlayer of foam to a desired size, said flexible adhesive dressingintegrated with said layer of foam in fluid communication with aflexible tubing; (d) placing the dressing over said surgically closedarea of skin trauma to form a sealed enclosure; (e) configuring thetubing with an end piece; (f) charging the device; (g) recharging thedevice as necessary to remove exudates and to restore reduced pressureinside said enclosure; and (h) removing the device after woundre-epithelialization. In some embodiments the skin trauma is selectedfrom a cut, puncture wound, surgically created incision, or any otherwound which is suitable for being closed surgically.

Devices

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate one embodiment static negative pressuredevice 100. The device 100 comprises a sealant layer 110 and acollection chamber 120 configured to distribute pressure along asurgical area of skin trauma, such as the length of a surgical incision.In some embodiments, the negative pressure therapy device may include acontact layer 130. The contact layer 130 provides fluid communicationbetween the collection chamber 120 and the area of skin trauma. Thecontact layer 130 may comprise a foam, mesh, gauze, sponge, particulatematter, a stacked mesh matrix, or any other suitable porousbiocompatible material, for example. The contact layer 130 may be putinto contact with the surface of the surgically closed area of skintrauma. In some instances, the contact layer 130 may be configured tomaintain continuity of the air/fluid spaces through the surgical site,which may reduce the occurrence of isolated fluid or air pockets in theenclosed space formed by the surgical area and the sealant layer 110. Insome embodiments, the contact layer may be within the borders the skintrauma surface and not contact, overlap or cover the surrounding tissuearea adjacent to the skin trauma. In other embodiments, the contactlayer may be placed in contact with the adjacent tissue surrounding theskin trauma, in addition to the region of skin trauma itself. As shownin FIG. 1A, the contact layer 130, the sealant layer 110, and thecollection chamber 120 may be coupled or integrated together. In someexamples, a pre-coupled or integrated design may permit the device 100to be placed in contact with the skin trauma surface in one step. Insome embodiments, the contact layer is placed in contact with the skintrauma surface. Once positioned, the contact layer is then covered bythe sealant layer with an integrated collection chamber to form a sealedenclosure or space. In some embodiments, the sealant layer may beaffixed to the area of skin surrounding the trauma area by any suitablematerials or mechanisms known to one skilled in the art, including butnot limited to, tape, glue, or a suitable biocompatible adhesiveproduct.

Further depicted in FIG. 1A is one example of a suction apparatus 140.The suction apparatus 140 may be configured to create a level of reducedpressure inside of the collection chamber 120. In some embodiments, thecollection chamber 120 may be in a pre-evacuated state prior to beingpositioned on the surface of the skin trauma, while in otherembodiments, the collection chamber 120 may be evacuated afterpositioning, or after coupling to the suction apparatus 140. Thecollection chamber 120 may be pre-evacuated at the point-of-use or atthe point-of-manufacture. In some embodiments, the suction apparatus maybe coupled to the collection chamber prior to being positioned on thesurface of the skin trauma, and in still other embodiments, the suctionapparatus and the collection chamber may be integrally formed. In someembodiments the collection chamber may be sized to the length of thesurgically closed area of skin trauma by cutting the collection chamberor by detaching or one or more portions of the collection chamber. Insome configurations, the collection chamber may have one or morepre-defined separation zones with reduced thickness to facilitate lengthreductions. A suction apparatus can then be attached or otherwise usedto close the cut or separated end of the collection chamber. FIG. 1Ashows the device 100 with a collection chamber 120 in which a suctionapparatus 140 comprises with a constant force spring mechanism 142 hasbeen integrated with the collection chamber 120. When the constant forcespring mechanism 142 of the suction apparatus 140 is engaged, theslidable seal or reciprocating mechanism 144 may be drawn back to createand maintain a constant level of pressure inside the sealed enclosure.In FIG. 1A, the device 100 has been sized to the length of a wound bycutting one end 122 of the collection chamber 120. FIG. 1A furtherdepicts the non-suction apparatus end 122 being occluded by an end plug124. The device is further sealed in FIG. 1A using an end sealantstructure 126. The non-suction apparatus end 122 and/or the end plug 124may be configured to detachable or non-detachable. For example, a gluemay be used to irreversibly attach the end plug to the apparatus end122.

In some embodiments, the length of the collection chamber may beadjusted based upon the length of the surgical incision or wound. Thelength of the surgical incision or wound may be generally linear or maybe non-linear. In some examples, the length of the collection chamber isabout the length of the surgical wound, while in other examples, thecollection chamber length may be about +10%, about +20%, about +30% ormore, about −10%, about −20%, or about −30% or less than the length ofthe surgical wound. Although generally elongate surgical wounds arecontemplated, in other examples, surgical wounds with non-elongateconfiguration may also be treated. In some further examples, branchingor stellate surgical wounds may be treated, using one or more devices.In other examples, the surgical wound or incision may be characterizedas the affected length of a partially dehisced surgical wound. Inexamples where the surgical wound comprises a partially dehiscedsurgical incision, the sealant layer and/or contact layer may beconfigured to seal or cover the dehisced segment, or the entire wound orincision. Exemplary methods for treating non-elongate wounds aredescribed later below. In some examples, the collection chamber per cmlength, may have a volume in the range of about 100 mm³ to about 10,000mm³ or more, sometimes about 500 mm³ to about 7,000 mm³, and other timesabout 1,000 mm³ to about 5,000 mm³.

The collection chamber 120 may be in fluid communication with the skintrauma site through the contact layer 130 of the device 100. In someexamples, the collection chamber 120 and the sealant layer 110 areintegrally formed. As depicted in FIG. 1B, the collection chamber 120may comprise a plurality of openings 150 that may align or correspond toa plurality of openings 150′ in the sealant layer 110 to provide fluidcommunication between the skin trauma and collection chamber 120 throughthe contact layer 130 and the sealant layer 110. The series of openings150 and 150′ may permit distribution of the pressure changes applied tothe area of skin trauma across the length or region of the skin trauma.The spacing, size or shape of the openings 150 and 150′ along thecollection chamber 120 and/or the sealant layer 110 may be uniform ornon-uniform. In other embodiments, the collection chamber 120 and thesealant layer 110 may comprise separate structures that are configuredfor coupling. To facilitate alignment of the collection chamber openings150 with the openings of the sealant layer 110, the adjacent surface ofthe collection chamber 150 and/or the sealant layer 110 may comprise anadhesive or slip-resistant surface. In other embodiments, the collectionchamber openings 150 and/or openings in the sealant layer 120 may formcomplementary interfit to facilitate alignment. For example, thecollection chamber openings 150 and/or the sealant layer openings 150′may protrude into the opening in the corresponding structure. In stillother embodiments, the collection chamber openings 150 and the sealantlayer openings 150′ may comprise complementary sealable snapfit.

In some examples, the collection chamber may comprise an elastically orplastically deformable material or a bendable configuration. This maypermit the collection chamber to conform to the contours of a surgicallyclosed area of skin trauma, and may permit the collection chamber toexhibit at least some conformational change in response to bodymovement. In one example depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the collectionchamber 120 comprises regions or zones of flexible ribbing 128 along thelength of the collection chamber 120. The ribbing 128 allows thecollection chamber 120 to be shaped and molded by the user and furthermaintains the user defined configuration. The portions of the collectionchamber 120 between the flexible ribbing 128 may be rigid, semi-rigid orflexible. In some further examples, a collection chamber may also beconfigured to at least partially rotate in addition to bending. Incertain examples, different sizes or configurations of openings may beprovided around the circumference of the collection chamber and may beselected for use by rotation. The unused opening may be sealed byapplying a sealant layer over the unused openings. Alternatively, theopenings may be presealed and the selected seals may be utilized byremoving the pre-attached seal(s) from them.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of a negative pressure therapy device200 in which the device 200 is configured to be re-evacuated orrecharged. The device 200 comprises an integrated contact layer 230,sealant layer 210 and collection chamber 220. The contact layer 230 maybe placed in contact with the surface of the skin trauma and a seal maybe formed between the skin surrounding the skin trauma using the sealantlayer 210. The collection chamber 220 may be integrated with the sealantlayer 210 and is in fluid communication with the contact layer and theenclosed surgical site through a series of openings 250 in thecollection chamber 220 and the contact layer 230, but in other examples,the collection chamber and the sealant layer may be separated componentsthat may be attached using adhesive or mechanical mechanisms. Withseparate collection chambers and sealant layers, the alignment of thecollection chamber openings and the sealant layer openings may befacilitated by configuring either the collection chamber openings and/orthe sealant layer openings with complementary interfit designs. In onealternative embodiment, the base sealant layer may lack pre-formedopenings, but the collection chamber openings may comprise sharpened orpenetrating structures to permit formation of sealant layer openingswhen the two components are coupled together.

The collection chamber 220 may be in a pre-evacuated state wherein alevel of reduced pressure is already present inside. Alternatively, thecollection chamber 220 can be at atmospheric pressure when placed on thepatient, and a reduced level of pressure can be created in thecollection chamber using an external evacuator device 270, such as adurable medical equipment evacuator. The external evacuator device 270may be positioned in an opening 276 of an evacuator fitting 278 on thecollection chamber 220. The evacuator fitting 276 is in fluidcommunication with the collection chamber 220. The evacuator fitting 276may be configured as a one-way flow valve that allows air molecules orother materials to be removed from the collection chamber 220 whileresisting entry of air molecules or other materials into the collectionchamber. In the particular examples illustrated in FIG. 2, thecollection chamber 220 comprises flexion regions 228 with ribbing, butin other examples, a substantial length of the collection chambercomprises a flexible material.

FIG. 2 also depicts a collection chamber 220 with one end 222 occludedwith an end plug 224. The other end 222′ of the collection chamber maybe fitted with a one-way flow valve 260. Thus, the device 200 maycomprise a separate one-way flow valve 260 for facilitating the emptyingof the collection chamber 220 when the collection chamber 220 is filledwith exudate or other matter. Once the collection chamber 220 has beenemptied, the collection chamber can then be re-evacuated using anexternal evacuator 270 introduced through the opening 276 of theevacuator fitting 278. In some embodiments, the one-way flow valve 260and the means for evacuating the collection chamber 220 are the samestructure. In some embodiments, the one-way flow valve and the means forevacuating the collection chamber are two different structures, as shownin FIG. 2. FIG. 2 also shows a device 200 with a moldable collectionchamber 220.

Another example of a negative pressure therapy device 300 is shown inFIG. 3. The negative pressure therapy device 300 may comprise amulti-chamber collection system 370, comprising a first chamber 372 anda second chamber 373. The multiple chambers may be connected, or may beseparate. In FIG. 3, for example the first and second chambers 372 and373 may be in fluid communication with each other at an interconnectingopening 374. The first chamber 373 of the dual chamber collectionchamber 370 has a series of openings 350 that configured to providefluid communication with the contact layer 330 of the device 300. Thesecond chamber 372 of the dual chamber collection chamber 370 can befitted with a reciprocating mechanism for regulating pressure. In FIG.3, the second chamber the reciprocating mechanism is shown as a spring374 attached to a spring housing 378 on the end of the dual chambercollection chamber 370 opposite to the sealed end with end plug 324. Thespring creates a moving seal 376 through the use of a plunger likeapparatus. The moving seal 376 self-regulates changes in pressure in thedual chamber collection chamber 370 and moves in response to thesechanges.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a negative pressure therapydevice 400, in which contact layer 430, the collection chamber 420, andthe sealant layer 410 of the device are not integrated and the sealantlayer 410 is placed above or over the collection chamber 420 and contactlayer 430. In this embodiment, the contact layer 430 is placed incontact with the surgically closed area of skin trauma. A moldablecollection chamber 420 with ribbing 428 to may be used to manipulateconfiguration of the chamber 420 for contact and coverage with thecontact layer 430. A series of openings 450 located in the collectionchamber 420 provides for fluid communication between the contact layer430 and the collection chamber 420. The collection chamber 420, once incontact with the contact layer 430, may then be evacuated through theuse of suction apparatus 440. The suction apparatus can be a syringe, apowered pump, or a forced expansion device. The suction apparatus 440 ispreferably in fluid communication with the collection chamber 420through a one-way valve 460. After the collection chamber 420 isevacuated, a sealant layer 410 can then be placed over the collectionchamber 420 and the contact layer 430 to form a sealed enclosure withthe wound.

FIG. 5 depicts another embodiment of a device 500, in which thecollection chamber 520 comprises corrugated tubing segments 582 withdiscrete collection members 580 interspersed throughout the collectionchamber 520. One end 522 of the corrugated tubing is sealed with an endplug 524 or other closed configuration. The other end 522′ of the device500 may be coupled or integral with a suction source 540, such as aconstant force spring, a powered suction pump, a durable medicalequipment evacuator, or any suitable suction source. The contact layer530 of the device 500 is integrated with the sealant layer 510 and thecollection chamber 520 in FIG. 5. Once placed on the patient, thecorrugated tubing segments 582 allow the collection chamber to conformto the surface topology of the patient. This embodiment of the deviceallows the device to move with the patient. The corrugated tubingsegments allows for significant expansion and compression of theunderlying skin. In an embodiment where the collection chamber is acorrugated tube with discrete collection members, the discretecollection member 580 are in preferably fluid communication with thecontact layer 530 and skin trauma surface through a series of discreteopenings 550.

In some embodiments, an elongate reduced pressure therapy system may beapplied along the length of an elongate wound with wound edges that maybe approximated. The elongate reduced pressure therapy system may alsobe used with incisions already closed by sutures, staples or adhesives,for example. In some instances, the use of a reduced pressure therapysystem on a closed incision may provide more uniform force distributionalong an incision, by exerting additional closure forces against tissuesnot immediately contacting a suture or staple, for example. A negativepressure therapy system, in some instances, may also resist separationof the wound edges. In some instances, the negative pressure therapysystem may resist stretching of the newly formed connective tissue,which may reduce the extent of scarring. In some examples, by applying asealant layer and reducing the pressure, the approximation of the woundedges may be further augmented by collapsing the potential space betweenthe edges. In some particular embodiments, the wound treatment systemmay comprise a negative pressure system that is configured to provideboth mechanical tension reduction and reduced pressure effects on theincision or wound. The reduced pressure effects may or may not includethe displacement of the wound edges toward each other by reducing thepressure of the space between the wound edges and/or from pushing orpulling by the sealant layer as the sealant layer is contracted aroundthe support. A reduced pressure therapy system may also comprise anelastic sealing layer or a sealing layer configured with one or moreelastic members. In use, the sealant layer may be attached or adhered toone side of the incision or wound and then stretched and attached to theother side of the incision or wound. Once in place and with thestretching force relieved, the sealant layer or its elastic member mayexert opposing forces on each side of the wound to augment the edgeapproximation and draw the incision or wound edges together. In someexamples, the elastic members may be oriented in a transverse positionto the longitudinal orientation of the incision or wound, but in otherexamples, the elastic member may be oriented in multiple directions. Thesealant layer or the elastic member may comprise a material such assilicone rubber, polyisoprene or other elastomeric material whichpossesses a sufficient restoring force to pull tissue together whenadhered to opposing incision or wound edges in a stretchedconfiguration. In some examples, one or more elastic members may beapplied or attached to the sealant layer after the sealant layer hasbeen applied to the incision site or wound site.

FIGS. 6A to 6C depict another example of a wound treatment device 600comprising a sealant layer 602 and an elongate support 604. The elongatesupport 604 may be configured with an elongate central channel 606 thatmay be placed along or over an incision or elongate wound. In someconfigurations, the device 600 may comprise multiple channels in directcommunication with the elongate wound. In this particular example, theelongate central channel 606 has an open channel configuration that isexposed to the incision or wound along a portion if not all of itslongitudinal length, but in other examples, the elongate channel 606 mayhave a generally closed configuration with a plurality of longitudinallyarranged openings along a segment of the channel or the entire channel.An open channel or a plurality of longitudinally arranged openings maypermit the application of reduced pressure along a length of the woundwhile possibly reducing the risk that clogging or transient oppositionof tissue surfaces may affect the distribution of pressure reductionand/or fluid suction. In some examples, the channel, or the segment ofthe channel in communication with the incision or wound, may have alength of at least about 1 cm or more, 3 cm or more, sometimes about 10cm or more, and other times about 20 or about 50 cm or more. In someexamples, the device 600 may comprise a length of about 70 cm, 100 cm oreven 150 cm, which may be cut or shortened to a smaller length. In someembodiments comprising a flexible, bendable and/or moldable support 604,the support 604 and/or sealant layer 602 may be provided in the form ofa roll or a folded form, which is then dispensed and cut as needed. Thedevice 600 (or other devices described herein) may be used to treat anyof variety of incisions or wounds, but in some specific examples may beused to a variety of elongate incisions or wound, including but notlimited to linear or curvilinear incisions or wounds. These wounds mayinclude but are not limited to any of a variety of traumatic lacerationsor cuts, sternotomy incisions, laparotomy incisions, perinealprostatectomy incisions, vein harvesting incisions, C-section incisions,and the like.

In use, the elongate central channel 606 may be positioned along anincision or elongate wound and then secured or sealed by placing thesealant layer 602 over the incision and support 604. The sealant layer602 and the support 604 may be integrally formed or pre-attached to eachother, such that the sealant layer 602 and the support 604 may beapplied to an incision or wound in a single step. In some examples, thesealant layer 602 may have a size and configuration to permit completesealing of the entire perimeter of the incision and the support 604, butin other examples, one or more accessory seals 608 and 610 may be used.The sealant layer 602 may comprise an adhesive on one or more surfaces.In FIG. 6A, for example, adhesive may be provided along the lateralregions the undersurface of the sealant layer 602, leaving a strip ormiddle section of the sealant layer 602 free of adhesives. In thisparticular example, end seals 608 and 610 may be used to facilitatesealing about the ends 612 and 614 of the sealant layer 602, but inother embodiments, accessory seals may be used anywhere to provideadditional sealing.

In some examples, the sealant layer, support, and/or one or moreaccessory seals may be pre-configured with a connector or port which maybe used to coupled the device 600 to a reduced pressure source. In theparticular example in FIG. 6A, one of the end seals 610 ispre-configured with a connector 616 that may be used to attach a suctiondevice 618 using an optional connector tube 620. In other examples, thesuction source or a connector tube may be configured to pierce and forman aperture through the sealant layer or accessory seal. In still otherexamples, the suction device 618 may be integrally formed with the endseal, sealant layer and/or support 604.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the support 604 may optionally comprise one or moreside flanges or flaps 622 to one or both sides of the elongate channel606. Each of the side flaps 622 may have a width (or dimensiontransverse to its longest dimension) in the range of about 2 mm to about50 mm or more, sometimes about 10 mm to about 40 mm, and other timesabout 20 mm to about 30 mm. The side flaps may have an average thicknessin the range of about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm or more, sometimes about 0.75mm to about 3 mm, and other times about 1 mm to about 2 mm. Thethickness of the side flap may or may not be uniform, and in someexamples, the thickness may taper or reduce in a central to peripheraldirection, or vice versa. The side flaps 622 may comprise the same ordifferent material as the material about the elongate channel 606. Insome embodiments, the support 604 and/or the side flaps 622 may berigid, semi-rigid or flexible, and may comprise silicone, urethane, orthe like, and may or may not comprise a coating. For example, one ormore sections of the support 604 may comprise an ant-infective coating,including but not limited to a silver alloy or chlorhexidine coating.The side flaps 622 may or may not comprise an adhesive on its tissuecontacting surface 624 and/or its sealant layer contacting surface 626.In some examples, the support 604 may further comprise a cap structure628. The cap structure 628 may be located on the upper surface of theelongate channel 606 and may be configured to project to one or bothsides of the elongate channel 606. The cap structure 628 may projectanywhere from about 0 mm to about 15 mm or more, sometimes up to about 5mm, and other times up to about 10 mm. In some examples, one or moreelongate side channels 630 may be formed between the cap structure 628and the side flanges or flaps 622. The cap structure 628 may compriserounded edges or surfaces, which may or may not reduce the risk ofpuncturing or damaging the sealant layer when contracted onto thesupport 604. In some examples, an accessory seal, or a sealant layerconfigured with regions of greater thickness, puncture resistance, orother reinforcement may be positioned about the support 604. The sideflaps 622 and/or the cap structure 628 may or may not have a symmetricalconfiguration and/or size with respect to the elongate channel 606. Insome configurations, one or more openings may be provided in the walls632 between the central channel 606 and the side channel(s) 630, but inother configurations, communication between the central channel 606 andthe side channel(s) 630 may only occur about the ends of the support 604where the sealant layer 602 may provide a common space or pocket whereit may not be adhered to the skin.

As shown in FIG. 6C, when reduced pressure is applied to the device 600,the sealant layer 602 may collapse around or into the support 604. Forexample, sections of the sealant layer 602 may be pulled or pushed intothe elongate side channels 630. In other examples, the support 604 maycomprise any of a variety of indentations, openings, grooves, channelswhich may permit contraction of the sealant layer 602 to the support604, either with suction or by mechanical structures such as a clamp orpushrod, drawstring or any other complementary structure that may beattached or coupled to tighten the sealant layer 602 to the support 604.In some instances, this contraction of the sealant layer 602 may or maynot draw the wound edges 634 closer together. The application of reducedpressure may also reduce the size or eliminate the gap 636 between thewound edges 634.

In addition to the support, the wound treatment system may also compriseone or more elastic elements incorporated or attachable to the sealantlayer. For example, elastic bands or threads may be provided in thesealant layer in addition to the elastic properties of the support, ifany. In some configurations, the elastic bands or threads may have auniform orientation, but in other configurations, the elastic bands maybe oriented in multiple directions. In some instances, the support mayalso comprise an elastic material or structure (e.g. a spring) which maybe configured to further mechanically bias the wound tissue or edges ina particular direction. In some instances, the spring may comprise anattachable clip, which is optionally used with the support to provideadditional force with elastic supports, or the contracting force withrigid supports.

In some examples, the reduce pressure wound therapy system may be usedto treat incisions or elongate wounds that may be longer than the lengthof the device that is available. In such situations multiple devices,supports and sealant layers may be arranged in an independent or anoverlapping configuration to treat larger wounds. In FIG. 7, forexample, two separate supports 700 and 702 and sealant layers 704 and706 are positioned end-to-end and the junction region 708 is coveredwith a third sealant layer 710. Use of a third sealant layer 710 may beuseful, for example, where the support and sealant layer are supplied ormanufactured in an integral or pre-attached configuration. Although theends of the supports 700 and 702 and the sealant layer 704 and 706 aredepicted as touching at the junction region 708, in other examples,partial or full gaps may be provided between supports and/or sealantlayers. In addition to the serial configuration depicted in FIG. 7, thesupports and/or sealant layers may also be arranged in a parallelfashion. In other examples, a third sealant layer need not be used, asone sealant layer may be overlapped over another where the sealant layerextends past the end of it associated support. In other examples,multiple sealant layers or supports may be provided and used with alesser number of supports or sealant layers, respectively. Also, morethan one suction device may be used with longer or larger support orsealant layers.

In addition to multiple supports that may be arranged in a paralleland/or serial fashion, in some embodiments, the supports themselves maycomprise multiple sections that are joined together to form a completesupport. In FIG. 8, for example, a support 800 comprise two elongatesupport segments 802 and 804 which are configured to be generally joinedalong their longitudinal lengths at a coupling interface 806. A support800 comprising separate longitudinal segments 802 and 804 may be used toseparately attach each segment 802 and 804 to one edge of an incision orwound (e.g. by adhesives or suturing) and are then joined together toapproximate the wound edges. In some instances, separate joinablecomponents may be easier to attach to the skin than a unibody support.The longitudinal segments 802 and 804 may be rigid, semi-rigid orflexible, and although the segments 802 and 804 are depicted as eachcontributing about 50% of the structure, e.g. generally symmetricallysplit except for possibly the coupling interface. In other examples,however, the longitudinal segments may be asymmetrically split. Thecoupling interface 806 depicted in FIG. 8 comprises a complementary setof grooves 808 and ridges 810 located along the longitudinal innersurface 812 of each segment 802 and 804, but any of a variety ofcoupling interfaces 806 may be used, including other snapfits. Otherlocking interfaces, mechanisms or structures may include but are notlimited to resealable adhesive layers, slide locks, hinge clamps, clips,locking pins with lockable lumens, zippers, elastic binding bands, andthe like. In some examples, structures that may be used to contract thesealant layer into a unibody support may also be used to contract thesealant layer into a multi-segment support and/or to couple the segmentsof a multi-segment support together.

FIG. 9A depicts one example of a negative pressure therapy system 900comprising an elastic support 902 and an optional suction system 904. Anoptional contact layer 906 may be provided under the elastic support902. The elastic support 902 is configured with one or more longitudinalconduits 908 or channels. The conduit or channel may be fully enclosedor may be at least partially open. The conduit 908 in FIG. 9 has aclosed configuration with a plurality of apertures 910 to permit air orfluid communication with the underlying wound or incision. In thisparticular example, the lateral flaps 912 of the elastic support 904 maycomprise an adhesive, which may be used to at least seal a portion ofthe conduit 908 and the external space, if any, between the incision orwound and the apertures 910. In some other examples, the lateral flaps912 may extend to one or both ends of the support, but in the example,depicted in FIG. 9A, end seals 914 and/or 916 may be used to facilitatesealing about the ends 918 and 920 of the support 902. As mentionedpreviously, at least one of the end seals 916 may be provided with aconnector 922 for attachment of the suction system 904, but in otherembodiments, the connector may be located on the elastic support 902. Instill other examples, a large sealant layer may be used to cover alarger portion if not all of the support, and with or without aprotective layer. For example, some embodiments of the elastic supportmay comprise segmented non-sealing lateral flaps which are configured toelastically bring wound edges together. The segmentation may facilitatethe application of the elastic support in a sectional manner, but may ormay not provide sealing ability, such that a sealant layer applied overthe elastic support may be used to provide a sealed space about thesupport.

Referring to FIGS. 9B to 9D, in use, the flaps 912 of the elasticsupport 902 may be elastically stretched or pulled away from each otherand applied in its stretched state to the incision or wound such thateach flap 912 is adhered to the skin surface 922 to a respective edge ofthe incision or wound. In some procedures, the support 902 may besufficient stiff or rigid such that a substantial longitudinal length ofthe flaps 912 can be stretched, but in other configurations, a smallerportion of the flaps 912 may be pulled away, which may facilitate theapplication of the support to non-linear incisions or wound bypermitting adherence or attachment of the support section-by-section.Once adhered to the skin surface 920, the stretching or deformationforce may be relieved, and the elasticity or bias in the support 904 maypush the wound edges 922 toward each other. Once fully sealed, thesuction source 904 may be activated to reduce the pressure in theconduit 906 and/or to remove air or fluid from the incision or wound,which may or may not further reduce the gap 924, if any, between thewound edges 922, in addition to providing a reduced pressure to enhancehealing and/or to evacuate potential fluid pockets. FIG. 9E depicts howtwo elastic supports 902 with flaps 912 may be positioned serially or inan end-to-end fashion to treat incisions or wounds having a longerlength by covering the junction 958 with an accessory seal 960. As notedpreviously, although the ends of the supports 902 and their flaps 912are depicted as touching at the junction region 958, in other examples,partial or full gaps may be provided between supports and/or theirflaps.

The elastic support may comprise any of a variety of configurations. Asdepicted in FIGS. 9B to 9D, the elastic support 902 may comprise anelastomeric member 926 which may augment the elastomeric properties, ifany, of the flaps 912 and/or wall 928 of the conduit 908. As furtherillustrated, the apertures 910 of the elastic support 902 may beprovided directly in the elastomeric member 926, and in someconfigurations the apertures 910 may also deform in shape when force isapplied to the flaps 912. FIGS. 10A to 10C depicts another embodiment ofan elastic support 950 with flaps 952, wherein the apertures 954 areprovided in a non-elastic structure 956. Thus, when the elastomericmember 958 is stretched, the apertures 954 maintain the sameconfiguration. The non-elastic structure 956 may have any of a varietyof configurations, including rings or frames, and may form either apartial or a complete perimeter of the aperture 954. The non-elasticstructures 956 may be separate for each aperture 954 or they may beinterconnected. FIGS. 11A to 11C depicts still another embodiment of anelastic support 970 with flaps 972 comprises an elastic material suchthat a specific elastomeric member is not used. In this particularembodiment, the elastic support 970 comprise an open channel 974 thatlacks discrete apertures and instead is generally open along the lengthof the channel 974 to the edges 922 and space 924 of the underlyingincision or wound. As shown in FIGS. 11A to 11C, the elastic support 970may be applied to an incision 976 closed with sutures 978 or other typeof incision closure such as staples. The sutures 978 may any type ofsuture and may be used with any of a variety of suture techniques,including running sutures and interrupted sutures. In some variations,although the sutures 978 may generally maintain the approximation of thewound edges 980, separation forces acting at the sutures 978 maygenerate focal regions of tissue tension. Application of the elasticsupport 970 to the incision may be used to apply additional contiguousforce along a substantial length of the incision 976, which may or maynot reduce the focal tissue tension and possibly improve incisionhealing.

In other embodiments, the devices described herein may also be used totreat non-elongate incisions or wounds. FIGS. 12 to 15 depict variousexamples of using an elongate negative pressure therapy system to treatnon-elongate wounds. In FIG. 12, for example, an elongate negativepressure therapy device 1000 and a sealant layer 1002 are positionedaround the perimeter of wound 1004. As further illustrated in thisexample, the device 1000 may comprise apertures 1006, 1008 and 1010 ofvarying size. In some instances, smaller apertures 1004 may be used atdistances closer to the suction source or interface 1012, while largerapertures 1008 may be used at relatively farther distances. In stillother examples, the size of the apertures may be uniform, but either thenumber and/or the spacing of the apertures may vary along thelongitudinal length of the device.

FIG. 13 depicts another example of a negative pressure therapy device1020 arranged in a spiral orientation with respect to a wound 1022. Insome instances, the spiral orientation may augment the pressure orsuction about the center of the wound 1022, compared to the devicearranged depicted in FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is still another example of adevice 1030 comprising alternating rigid sections 1032 and flexionsections 1034 arranged in a back-and-forth or zig-zag orientation alonga non-elongate wound 1036. As mentioned previously, in some examples,the rigid sections 1032 may also rotate with respect to the flexionsection 1034 or other articulation of the device. As shown in FIG. 13,the device need not be fully located within the borders of the wound1036, and although all of the device apertures 1038 are located withinthe wound borders, in other examples one or more apertures may belocated outside the border of the wound.

FIG. 15 depicts another example where multiple devices 1040 and sealantlayers 1042 are used to close a non-linear surgical incision. In thisparticular embodiment, the surgical incision comprising a T-incisionwith a transverse incision 1044 and a midline incision 1046, and istreated using two open-channel devices 1040 applied to each incision1044 and 1046, with overlapping sealant layers 1042. In other examples,more than two devices and two sealant layers may be used, e.g. onelonger device may be used along the entire length of the midlineincision 1046 and two smaller devices may be used along each remainingsegment of the transverse incision 1044. In some instances, open channeldevices 1040 may be used when surgical close is performed with staples1048 or any other protruding closure component.

While a number of embodiments have been shown and described herein, oneof skill in the art will understand that these embodiments are providedby way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutionsmay be made those skilled in the art without departing from theinvention. It should be understood that various alternatives to theembodiments described herein may also be employed. It is intended thatthe following claims define the scope of the invention and that methodsand structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents becovered thereby. For all of the embodiments described herein, the stepsof the methods need not be performed sequentially.

1. A device for treating an incision, comprising: a flexible sealantstructure adapted and configured to seal with an area of skinsurrounding at least a portion of the incision and configured to form asealed space with the portion of the incision, wherein the flexiblesealant structure may have an elastic property; at least one elasticelement having an elastic property that supplements the elasticproperty, if any, of the flexible sealant structure, wherein the atleast one elastic element is configured to be deformed into a state oftension and to be coupled to the skin while held in the state oftension, and wherein the at least one elastic element is configured toimpart compression on the area of skin upon coupling to the skin andrelease of the state of tension; an elongated structure configured to bepositioned beneath the sealant structure within the sealed space andconfigured to distribute reduced pressure along the sealed space; and acontact layer positioned under the flexible sealant structure andconfigured to be positioned beneath the elongated structure in directcontact with the portion of the incision, wherein the contact layer isconfigured to provide fluid communication between the elongatedstructure and the portion of the incision.
 2. The device of claim 1,wherein the elastic element comprises a material having a restoringforce sufficient to pull a first portion of the area of skin towards asecond portion of the area of skin.
 3. The device of claim 1, whereinthe elastic element shields the portion of the incision from endogenousor exogenous stress.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the elasticelement provides tensile support to and alleviates mechanical tension tothe area of skin.
 5. The device of claim 1, further comprising anegative pressure source in fluid communication with the elongatedstructure and configured to deliver reduced pressure to the sealedspace.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the elastic element impartscompression on the area of skin independent of the reduced pressuredelivered to the sealed space.
 7. The device of claim 5, wherein thenegative pressure source comprises a constant force spring.
 8. Thedevice of claim 5, wherein the negative pressure source comprises asliding seal.
 9. The device of claim 5, wherein the negative pressuresource is configured to forcefully expand a volume of air located withinthe sealed space.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the reducedpressure is between about 0.001 to about 1 atmosphere.
 11. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the contact layer comprises a material selected fromthe group consisting of foam, mesh, gauze, sponge, particulate matter,mesh matrix, porous biocompatible material, and a material integratedwith a healing agent.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the healingagent comprises an antimicrobial agent.
 13. The device of claim 1,wherein the contact layer conforms to a length of the incision.
 14. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the sealant structure conforms to the lengthof a incision.
 15. The device of claim 1, further comprising absorbentbeads.
 16. The device of claim 1, wherein the incision is a closedsurgical incision.
 17. The device of claim 1, wherein the sealed spaceis semi-permeable.
 18. The device of claim 1, wherein the sealed spaceis impermeable and air-tight.
 19. The device of claim 1, wherein theelongated structure is integrally formed with the flexible sealantstructure.
 20. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second devicefor treating a second portion of the incision, the second devicecomprising: at least a second flexible sealant structure adapted andconfigured to seal with a second area of skin surrounding the secondportion of the incision and configured to form a second sealed spacewith the second portion of the incision; a second elastic elementconfigured to be deformed into a state of tension, wherein the secondelastic element is configured to impart compression on the second areaof skin upon coupling to the skin and release of the state of tension;and at least a second elongated structure in fluid communication withthe second sealed space and configured to distribute reduced pressurealong the second sealed space, wherein the second sealed space is influid communication with the first sealed space.
 21. The device of claim20, wherein the second elongated structure is arranged in series withthe first elongated structure.
 22. The device of claim 20, wherein thesecond elongated structure is arranged in parallel with the firstelongated structure.
 23. The device of claim 20, wherein the secondsealant structure overlaps the first sealant structure forming ajunction.
 24. The device of claim 23, further comprising an accessorysealing layer positioned over the junction between the first and secondsealant structures.
 25. The device of claim 1, wherein the sealantstructure, elastic element and elongated structure are sufficientlytransparent to observe the incision and area of skin surrounding theincision.
 26. A device for treating an incision, comprising: a flexiblesealant structure adapted and configured to seal with an area of skinsurrounding at least a portion of the incision and configured to form asealed space with the portion of the incision, wherein the flexiblesealant structure may have an elastic property; first and secondopposing elastic elements each comprising an elastic material configuredto be deformed from a relaxed state into a state of tension that returnstowards the relaxed state, wherein each elastic element has an elasticproperty that supplements the elastic property, if any, of the flexiblesealant structure; an elongated structure configured to be positionedbeneath the sealant structure within the sealed space and configured todistribute reduced pressure along the sealed space; and a contact layerpositioned under the flexible sealant structure and configured to bepositioned beneath the elongated structure in direct contact with theportion of the incision, wherein the contact layer is configured toprovide fluid communication between the elongated structure and theportion of the incision.
 27. The device of claim 26, wherein theorientation of the force is towards the center of the portion of theincision.
 28. The device of claim 26, wherein the first and secondelastic elements comprise a material having a restoring force sufficientto pull the area of skin on the first side and the second area of skinon second, opposite side towards one another.
 29. The device of claim26, wherein the first and second elastic elements shield the portion ofthe incision from endogenous or exogenous stress by imposing acompressive strain on the area of skin surrounding the portion of theincision.
 30. The device of claim 26, further comprising a negativepressure source in fluid communication with the sealed space andconfigured to deliver reduced pressure to the sealed space.
 31. Thedevice of claim 28, wherein the first and second elastic elements impartcompression on the area of skin independent of the reduced pressuredelivered to the sealed space.
 32. The device of claim 30, wherein thenegative pressure source comprises a constant force spring.
 33. Thedevice of claim 30, wherein the negative pressure source comprises asliding seal.
 34. The device of claim 30, wherein the negative pressuresource is configured to forcefully expand a volume of air located withinthe sealed space.
 35. The device of claim 1, wherein the reducedpressure is between about 0.001 to about 1 atmosphere.
 36. The device ofclaim 26, wherein the contact layer comprises a material selected fromthe group consisting of foam, mesh, gauze, sponge, particulate matter,mesh matrix, porous biocompatible material, and a material integratedwith a healing agent.
 37. The device of claim 36, wherein the healingagent comprises an antimicrobial agent.
 38. The device of claim 26,wherein the contact layer conforms to a length of the incision.
 39. Thedevice of claim 26, wherein the sealed space is semi-permeable.
 40. Thedevice of claim 26, wherein the sealed space is impermeable andair-tight.
 41. The device of claim 26, wherein the elongated structureis integrally formed with the flexible sealant structure.
 42. The deviceof claim 26, wherein the elastic elements provide tensile support to andalleviate mechanical tension to the area of skin.
 43. The device ofclaim 26, wherein the sealant structure, elastic elements and elongatedstructure are sufficiently transparent to observe the incision and areaof skin surrounding the incision.
 44. The device of claim 26, whereinthe sealant structure conforms to the length of the incision.
 45. Thedevice of claim 26, further comprising absorbent beads.
 46. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the at least one elastic element comprises a firstelastic element configured to be coupled to a first side of the incisionand a second elastic element configured to be coupled to a second sideof the incision opposite the first side.
 47. The device of claim 46,wherein the first and second elastic elements are configured to exertopposing forces on opposite sides of the incision to draw opposed edgesof the incision together upon adherence of the first and second elasticelements to the skin and upon release of the state of tension.
 48. Thedevice of claim 47, wherein each of said first and second elasticelements has a corresponding elastic property, and further wherein amaterial separates the first and second elastic elements and wherein thematerial has a third elastic property different than both of thecorresponding elastic properties of the first and second elasticelements.
 49. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one elasticelement is sized and shaped to be oriented transverse to a longitudinalaxis of the incision such that the at least one elastic element impartsa force onto skin along a direction primarily transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the incision upon adherence to the skin.
 50. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the at least one elastic element isincorporated into the sealant structure.
 51. The device of claim 1,wherein the at least one elastic element is structurally separate fromthe sealant structure.
 52. The device of claim 51, wherein the at leastone elastic element is attachable to the sealant structure.
 53. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the elongated structure directly contacts theincision when positioned within the sealed space.
 54. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the elongated structure is at least partially formed bythe sealant layer.
 55. The device of claim 1, wherein the pressuretransmission member comprises a chamber.
 56. The device of claim 51,wherein the at least one elastic element is positioned above the sealantstructure.